Astoria Chinook ???????????????

[bluejay]

I know how crazy it gets in the fall but why isn't as popular in the spring time, I know all those spring chinook are there.

My father taught me all I know about fishing but one thing I never understood is why we never went to Astoria in the spring months.

I'm confused :whazzup:

Thanks
Sara

[David Johnson]

Maybe because it's been closed for so many years that no one has learned it but I suspect that the fish may not hold up down there as much as they do in the fall because in the fall the river is warmer and they stage in the cooler sea water waiting to mature or for the water to cool.

Another thing is the weather may be too cruddy.

[Joe Schwab]

David, Your second answer was the right one. The lower river estuary below Astoria Bridge is no place to be in the spring time unless the weather is really good. Very few places to run and hide from the wind.

Just above Astoria are a number of very productive spots, but even there you had better keep an eye on the weather. It's a long run home and a very big river down there.

[Jignfloat]

My thought is , as the river narrows towards Cathlamet.....seems to be a few somewhat sheltered areas..fish are being forced to pass somewhat restricted..so... thats where I'll try early. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] Russ

[notaclue]

A budy of mine at work said he had a friend that caught 16 spingers banking it at Fort Stevens last year. I know where I am going after the storm clears up. What's the worst that can happen, I have to clean a fish.

notaclue

[Pete]

There's no reason a guy couldn't do very well in Young's Bay or at Tongue Point where huge numbers of fish are planted to support the Select Area Fishery program ... the commercials took 317 at Tongue Point, 329 at Blind Slough, 2389 in Young's Bay from April 16 to 18th. I wonder what it would be like a couple days before the net seasons.

[chinookin]

While growin up in warrenton, I deckhanded charter boats, and then the season started in may and went through oct. too. I remeber the starting was only weekend bookings, and oh yea, limits of springers. I have heard 3 theories on why you don't get the pressure. 1) the fish supposedly don't hold up to long, and shoot up fast when they go. 2) they are there and just don't bite. 3) they are more spread out and alot less numbers of fish. Personally I think it could be productive, but have not had a boat of my own to try it. As many springers as we pulled from behind the south jetty, right at the breaks, I cant see why the bouy 10 spring show isn't popular. As for the weather there are tons of solutions, Hammond, warrenton, astoria, chinook, illwaco, toungepoint (john day ramp), there are plenty of good producing areas within minutes of those area's. Just be smart on picking wihc area to go to according to wind, and tide.

[Fishing Maniac]

I've been wondering the same thing. Why couldn't a guy troll out in front of Hammond..saw around the Green can up. If it got nasty you would have a very short run to safety.